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Contact Federal Government Officials

Find senator’s contact info here: https://goo.gl/RLiotu

Find representative’s contact info here: https://goo.gl/5i7SXC

Fax legislators for free:  Reps:  https://faxzero.com/fax_congress.php

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Many newspapers, including New York Times and Washington Post require subscriptions, but without one we can see a few articles each month.  We can also check with our local libraries to find out how to get online access through them.

1.       Yesterday, on the Today Show, Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, “Americans were "sick and tired of being inundated with Russia fever.”  http://www.businessinsider.com/samantha-guthrie-grills-sarah-huckabee-sanders-on-today-show-2018-1  Let’s all tell Sanders just how many of us are NOT sick and tired of the Russia fever, in fact, we are sick and tired of the Russia cover up.  Let’s write her: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500 or leave a message for her:  202-456-1414 or tweet her:  @SarahHuckabee

2.      “Last year was the deadliest on record for the United States’ LGBTQ community, according to a report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs.”  http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/370236-report-anti-lgbt-violence-surged-in-2017 Let’s let our MoCs know that we want better federal protections for our brothers and sisters. 

3.      Last March, Trump repealed Obama’s “Fair Pay, Safe Workplaces” rule, put in place to protect workers from wage theft and unsafe working conditions by employers bidding on federal contracts: http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2017/03/senate-passes-repeal-obama-fair-pay-safe-workplace-rule/135939/  Now, the Communication Workers of America has filed its fourth complaint, this time on behalf of those working at call centers serving Medicare and ACA beneficiaries. “C.W.A. estimates that thousands of low-wage workers employed by General Dynamics Information Technology stand to recover over $100 million in back wages.”  Let’s help defend these and all workers by demanding that the Wage and Hour Division of the Labor Department investigate and act on the CWA’s complaint: 866-487-9243.  Or we could contact the Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta at 1-866-487-2365 or 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington DC 20210
  
4.      Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara (fired by Trump) and Former NJ Governor (Republican) Christine Todd Whitman have penned an excellent op-ed together about how our norms must be codified into law as Trump shows us how thin the guardrails are:   https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/01/29/trump-abuses-show-we-must-turn-traditions-into-laws-preet-bharara-christine-todd-whitman-column/1063619001/ Let’s share this with our MoC while reminding them of the need to #ProtectMueller and #ProtectRosenstein

5.      Trump judicial pick Michael Brennan testified before the Judiciary Committee last week, and seems set to move on to the full Senate. The fact that they’re moving forward with Brennan is an attack on a decades-old tradition to keep extremists off the courts (https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/01/24/trump-court-pick-michael-brennan-faces-senate-judiciary-committee/1061965001/). In his hearing, he refused to acknowledge racial bias in the justice system, a particularly disturbing comment in light of his expressed skepticism about the glass ceiling. And the progressive Alliance for Justice has found he’s willing to accept largely unchecked executive power, a view more dangerous than ever in the age of Trump. Let’s call our senators and tell them that between standing up for Senate tradition, insisting that social realities be recognized and the importance of checks and balances, there’s more than enough reason for them to say no to Michael Brennan.

6.      FEMA is calling off its effort to supply Puerto Rico with food and water. “Some on the island believe it's too soon to end these deliveries given that a third of residents still lack electricity and, in some places, running water.”  https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/29/581511023/fema-to-end-food-and-water-aid-for-puerto-rico   Let’s contact our MoC to urge them to ensure that Puerto Rico is really getting all of the aid it needs.

7.      “The Trump administration said on Monday that it is resuming the admission of refugees from 11 countries with additional screening that it said will increase security but which refugee groups say will make it harder for Muslims to find safe haven in the United States…. Officials from refugee resettlement agencies said that while they welcomed the resumption of admissions, the announcement reinforced their view that the administration was determined to quash arrivals from Muslim countries by making it harder for them to qualify for approval.” https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/29/us/muslim-refugees-trump.html Let’s contact our MoCs to make sure they know we won’t stand for a Muslim ban of any kind.

8.     “The Trump administration announced Thursday it is doing away with a decades-old air emissions policy opposed by fossil fuel companies, a move that environmental groups say will result in more pollution.”  https://www.apnews.com/646836ad590c4230b730fc17cfbcb967/EPA-ends-clean-air-policy-opposed-by-fossil-fuel-interests  The NRDC (National Resources Defense Council) was quick to speak out against this removal of protections, “This is among the most dangerous actions that the Trump EPA has taken yet against public health,” John Walke, the group’s clean air director, said in a statement. “This move drastically weakens protective limits on air pollutants like arsenic, lead, mercury and other toxins that cause cancer, brain damage, infertility, developmental problems and even death. And those harmed most would be nearby communities already suffering a legacy of pollution.”  http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/370786-epa-loosens-rules-on-some-major-air-pollution-sources  Once again, Trump is favoring the wants of industry over the needs of the people.  It is time for to let our MoCs know that these kinds of protections need to be written into law.

9.      Steve Wynn has resigned as the finance chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) following multiple allegations that he engaged sexual misconduct. Since then, two Republicans—Susan Collins (R, MN) and Lindsey Graham (R, AZ)—have called on the RNC to return Wynn’s donations. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/28/republicans-steve-wynn-donations-sexual-harassment If our MoC are Republicans, let’s urge them to follow Collins and Graham’s example in calling for the RNC to return Wynn’s donations. 

Election 2018 - General

1.       The new Democratic trifecta in Washington State is making real progress for democracy and progressive policies, passing an expansion of voting rights and same-day registration along with laws increasing transparency in state election spending and banning conversion therapy (http://www.seattlepi.com/local/politics/article/Connelly-A-State-Senate-on-steroids-passes-12511241.php). But there are only eight Democratic trifectas across the entire country. Let’s follow Washington’s lead and change that. We can help win legislatures by volunteering for Flippable here:  https://flippable.org/volunteer/

2.      New American Leaders offers a Political Leadership program, designed by and for immigrants. If we are potential candidates who are African, Arab, Asian Pacific Islander, Latino or Caribbean American, we can learn how to message, target, fundraise, embrace our heritage and become a successful candidate. Trainings are held regionally throughout the year. If this description does not apply to us, we can share this information with someone it does. More information and application here: 

3.      Higher Heights offers support to Black women interested in running for office in several ways. If this describes us, we can get training, meet li-e minded people and have our work recognized and highlighted.  If this description does not apply to us, we can share this information with someone it does. Training is available in person and online. The website offers a series of one-hour webinars on running for office. Past webinars are available on the website and we can sign up here to be notified about new ones:  http://www.higherheightsforamerica.org/trainings

Election 2018 – By State

Other Actions

1.       Many of us are confused about all the hirings/firings/resignations in the Trump administration.  This piece from The Loyal Opposition helps us understand and gives us a few important things we can do:  https://www.theloyalopposition.net/daily-ctas/in-trumps-saturday-night-massacre-rosenstein-will-get-axed-not-mueller/

2.      The Ann Arbor Jammers have released a resistance song, "Hear Our Voice," on iTunes and a companion video on YouTube. The song captures the anger of many Americans as they watch women's rights, LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, and many basic human rights eroded under the Trump administration. The YouTube video was timed for a release on January 15, 2018, Martin Luther King Day. The video can be seen at:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGFqEBoPhPY&t=  The song was released as a single in early January, and proceeds will benefit progressive non-profit groups the National Women’s Law Center, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and the American Civil Liberties Union.  For more information, contact ResistanceMusic2018@gmail.com For more information on the music collective, go tohttps://www.meetup.com/Ann-Arbor-Acoustic-Jam/ Let’s support this creative resistance effort.

3.      We now have a searchable interactive database that tracks the Trump administration's continuing attacks on scientific research. "The Silencing Science Tracker is a joint initiative of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund. It tracks government attempts to restrict or prohibit scientific research, education or discussion, or the publication or use of scientific information, since the November 2016 election." Let's just say that there are already 100 entries: 

4.      A special election is coming up in Florida's District 72. Sisterdistrict.com has this to say about the race: "Florida is a swing state with more registered Democrats than Republicans, but due to Republican gerrymandering, the state Senate and House are controlled by Republicans, and only 11 of Florida’s 27 Congressional seats are held by Democrats. In 2010, Florida voters passed a constitutional amendment to curb gerrymandering. The amendment has survived court challenges and the courts required new maps to be drawn. 2018 is the first year that the new, more fairly drawn maps will be in effect." No matter where we live, let's help out Margaret Good and get a Democrat in that seat! Visit:  https://www.sisterdistrict.com/programs/phonebanking/ to sign up for phone banking, text banking, postcards, and other actions

5.      We’ve all been entertained by the Resistance Revival Chorus and it was a treat to see them on the Grammy Awards this week singing with Kesha.  https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8097171/the-resistance-revival-chorus-you-dont-own-me-cover   This remarkable group has now gives us guidelines for creating our own local resistance choruses:  https://www.facebook.com/ResistanceRevivalChorus

6.      Teaching Tolerance now has a lesson on Digital and Civic Literacy Skills: “The internet is an amazing tool for teaching and learning. But, before we can teach students to harness its power and become good citizens of the web, we need to understand the intricacies of how it works and how it can be manipulated to mislead and even harm users.”  https://www.tolerance.org/frameworks/digital-literacy If we are teachers, let’s take a close look at these skills we can teach our students.  If we are not teachers, let’s pass this resource on to teachers we know.

7.      “Fox News’s Chris Wallace on Thursday said the Trump administration is trying to “undercut” the credibility of the investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election.”  http://thehill.com/homenews/media/370774-chris-wallace-white-house-is-trying-to-undercut-mueller-investigation  Let’s thank Chris Wallace for speaking truth to his Trump-supporting audience:  Fox News, 1211 Avenue of The Americas, New York, NY 10036 and let’s tweet thanks to Fox News, too:  @FoxNews 

Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize

1.       Tune in tonight at 10PM ET for the BET News special “Angela Rye’s State of the Union.”. The special will feature Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) delivering an exclusive rebuttal to the president’s state of the union address.

2.      Resistbot (https://resist.bot/), a tool which helps us connect with our senators and representatives, is offering a streamlined way to help take action, should Special Counsel Mueller be fired. If we text "mueller" to 50409 on our cell phones, Resistbot will tell us where our nearest rapid response rally will be and will help us RSVP for the event so that we can be notified ASAP when it's time to take action. To be safe, you can also sign up at the actual site:  https://www.trumpisnotabovethelaw.org/event/mueller-firing-rapid-response/search/  Remember, the same goes if Rosenstein is let go.

States
1.       MI: Governor Snyder has responded to the Michigan Pipeline Safety Advisory Board (MPSAB) recommendation that Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline be temporarily decommissioned, rejecting the proposal entirely http://bit.ly/2Gy70ig Meanwhile, the protective coating on the pipeline remains in disrepair http://bit.ly/2ANjmjL Let's be sure to contact Governor Snyder and hold him accountable for his decision to do nothing. Email: governorsoffice@michigan.gov Mail: Governor Rick Snyder P.O. Box 30013 Lansing, Michigan 48909 Phone: 517-373-3400

Reading/Watching

1.       “Solar Employs More People In U.S. Electricity Generation Than Oil, Coal And Gas Combined” - https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2017/01/25/u-s-solar-energy-employs-more-people-than-oil-coal-and-gas-combined-infographic/#34f32f312800

2.      “The stability of American society depends on conservatives finding a way forward from the Trump dead end” - https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/01/frum-trumpocracy/550685  

3.      “I’m a Republican. Why Is My Party Gaslighting America?” - https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/01/30/republican-party-release-the-memo-gaslighting-america-216554



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